Food Stamps Might Be Late

Portsmouth food stamp recipients could face up to an 11-day lag in their food stamp delivery dates this month as the city switches from mail to over-the-counter distribution.

The change was ordered by the state to streamline the distribution process and cut down red tape and costs.

In the past, recipients received a voucher in the mail. The voucher was traded for food stamps at the Portsmouth Social Services redemption center at 1625 High St.

Starting this month, no such vouchers will be coming through the mail. Recipients will have to show up at the redemption center with an identification card to receive food stamps.

Cutting out the mail component of the food stamp distribution "saves a few bucks," said Burt Richman, food stamp program manager for the state. But the state would never have called for the changeover if it would have made things less convenient for recipients.

In some cities, Richman said, the mailed vouchers are useful because food stamp redemption centers are spread throughout the town - at bank branches, for instance. But Portsmouth's sole redemption center was run by Portsmouth's social services department, so streamlining the distribution was simple.

Some recipients will receive food stamps as much as 11 days later in October because the new pick-up dates are based on alphabetical order.

The old mailing system was based on case numbers.

Portsmouth's food stamp recipients have been warned three times about the changeover, said Judy Mallory, chief eligibility supervisor for the city's social services department.

The timing of the changeover will minimize its inconvenience to the food stamp recipients, she said.

"Food stamps are not intended to cover food needs for an entire month," Mallory said. "They are intended to supplement the buying needs of the family. This should make less of an impact by taking place at the beginning of the month, as there should be some other income available."

Mallory emphasized, however, that if any food stamp recipients face undue hardship because of this one-time reshuffling of distribution dates, those individuals should contact the Portsmouth Social Services Department for special assistance. The office is located at 1701 High St.

Once the changeover is completed, all food stamp recipients will again be on a schedule, with distribution the same each month.